In New Mexico, more long suspensions. One trainer got a 21 year suspension, and another 10 years. That's on top of another guy getting 10 years previously. And these were all well-known, "national stage" guys in QH racing.

Q-Racing Journal, October 9, 2012 – The American Quarter Horse Association today has announced that it is taking action regarding 11 trainers who were recently suspended by the Louisiana Racing Commission and the Zia Park Board of Stewards (New Mexico) as a result of horses testing positive for Class I drugs. The 11 trainers include Alvin Smith, Jr., John D. Soileau, Lamont Charles, Alonzo Loya, Kyi Lormand, Heath Taylor, Anthony Agilar, Gonzalo Gonzales, John Henry Bassett, Jeffery Heath Reed and Carlos Sedillo.

Effective immediately, AQHA has suspended any AQHA memberships issued to the above trainers pending final outcome of their cases with the Louisiana or New Mexico Racing Commissions. Furthermore, effective October 19, 2012, horses in which the above trainers are listed as an owner or trainer shall be ineligible to receive AQHA racing points or AQHA honors/awards including AQHA year-end Champion or AQHA Regional High Point recognition. Finally, effective October 19, 2012, horses in which the above trainers are listed as an owner or trainer shall be ineligible to enter any AQHA Challenge regional, bonus or maiden races including the upcoming 2012 Bank of America Racing Challenge Championships to be held October 27th at Prairie Meadows Race Track and Casino in Altoona, IA.

AQHA’s action stems from the following penalties issued by the Louisiana Racing Commission and New Mexico Board of Stewards:

The 3 suspensions above include exclusion of the trainers from all areas of the grounds under the jurisdiction of the New Mexico Racing Commission and stipulation that all horses owned, trained or under the care of such trainers are ineligible to be entered or start in any race under the jurisdiction of the New Mexico Racing Commission.

These 11 trainers have certain appeal rights governed by the racing jurisdictions who issued the disciplinary actions. AQHA will continue to monitor the cases and has taken its action pending the final outcome of the cases.

Over the next several weeks there will be important racing industry meetings that will bring together the national associations to discuss ways to further strengthen rules, policies and plans to move forward with reformed racing rules. AQHA also will continue to work with all racing jurisdictions that participate in American Quarter Horse racing to develop a database for our Members to have access and to communicate about rulings and where AQHA might be able to offer assistance.

“The vast majority of our Members love and enjoy spending time with their horses. They want the drug issue cleaned up, and AQHA is dedicated to using the resources we have available to make sure this happens. The statements made over the last several months by tracks such as Los Alamitos, Ruidoso Downs, Remington Park and actions taken by racing jurisdictions such as California, New Mexico and Louisiana show that progress is being made. We applaud them and others for their efforts in addressing these issues, and encourage all racing jurisdictions to reciprocate and recognize rulings from other jurisdictions” said Don Treadway, AQHA Executive Vice President.

AQHA news and information is a service of AQHA publications. For more information on The American Quarter Horse Journal or America’s Horse, visit AQHA Publications.